Water-closet.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

R. W. MILLER.

WATER CLOSET.

APPLIGATION FILED 001 .20, 1898.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

we m ms IYEYERS co, PNOYO-UFHO. wAsmNsrm. n c,

No. 725,268. PATENTED APR.14, 1903.

R. W. MILLER.

WATER CLOSET.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.20, 1898.

NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ill

lllllm 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII UNITED STATES PATENT OEETQE.

RICHARD IV. MILLER, OF RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TIIEMEYER-SNIFFEN COMPANY, LIMITED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OFNEWV YORK.

WATER-CLOSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,268, dated April14, 1903. Application fi ed October 20, 1898. Seria1No.694,108. (Nmodel.)

Rutherford, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, have inventedcertain new and usefullmprovements in \Vater-Closets, fully describedand represented in the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings,

forming a part of the same.

Thisinvention relates to certain improve ments in valve-controllingmechanism for the flush-tanks of water-closets.

The invention has for its object to produce an improved mechanismcontrolled by the seat of the closet which when the seat is releasedafter use shall act to automatically operate the valve of the flush-tankto allow a sufficient quantity of Water to descend and fiush the basin.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved automaticmechanism which shall eifect a slight preliminary flushing of the basinbefore use, such flushing being sufficient to dampen the basin, therebypreventing the adherence of fecal matter thereto.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved valve foruse in flush-tanks which after it has been operated to permit a flushingflow of water from the tank shall close gradually, thereby avoiding theslamming of the valve upon the seat and prevent ing noise andwater-hammer in the pipes, and

which after it has been operated to produce a flushing flow of watershall not only automatically act to cut off the said flushing flow, butshall still operate to permit a slight subsequent. flow of water fromthe tank, which while not sufficient in volume to produce a flushingaction shall operate as an after-fill, thereby insuring the presence ofa sufficient quantity of water in the basin or the traps connectedtherewith, or both, to properly and effectually seal the waste-pipes.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in certainconstructions and in certain parts, improvements, and combinations,whichwill be hereinafter described and then specifically pointed out in theclaims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings,which constitute a part of thisspecification, and in which like reference characters indicate the sameparts, Figure 1 is a vertical section through a flush-tank, showing thevalve-opcrating mechanism and the connections therefor, the basin of thecloset and the actuatingseat being shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a planview, on a somewhat larger scale than Fig. 1, of the flush-tank and thedevices contained therein. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of theflush-tank, also on a somewhat larger scale than Fig. 1, the plane ofsection being at right angles to that of said figure. Figs. sand 5 areenlarged detail views of the mechanism for operating the valve, theparts being shown in different positions in these views. Fig. 6 is adetail plan view showing the construction by which the seat is hingedand the connection of the operating-rods to the seat. Fig. 7 is asection on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrow;and Fig. 8 is a vertical central section, on an enlarged scale, takenthrough the valve and showing the connection of the overflow-pipethereto.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the basin of a closet of thewash-down type, and 2 indicates the seat of said basin. The seat isconnected to the basin by a hinge connection of any suitable form. Inorder to provide for this hinge connection, the basin is provided with ahearing, which preferably consists of a perforated projection orshoulder 3, Figs. 6 and 7, which in the preferred form of theconstruction is integral with the basin. The seat-hinges are formed bycollars 8, having suitable extensions, to which the seat is secured inany suitable or desired manner. In order to support the seat hinges orcollars 8, a rod 4 is provided, which passes through the perforatedshoulder 3. This rod is preferably smaller in cross-section than thediameter of the perforation and is supported in hollow sleeves or nuts 5at opposite sides of the shoulder 3, which extend inside theperforation, with heads on the sleeves or nuts abutting against theshoulder. In the preferred form of the construction sleeves 6 areprovided, which are passed over the ends of the rod land are supportedthereon. These sleeves when employed are slightly larger in diameterthan the rod, and therefore fit loosely thereon. These sleeves serve tosupport the bin ge-collars 8 of the seat. The rod 4, before referred to,also preferably serves to support an operating-arm 10, which, as willhereinafter appear, serves to effect the operation of the valvemechanism of the flushtank. This arm 10 is preferably provided with anenlargement 10, which is perforated and surrounds one of the sleeves 6when the same are employed. "One end 10" of the arm extends under theseat, as shown in Fig. 1, so that as the seat is depressed the arm willturn upon its pivot. The arm 10 is located next to one of the hingedcollars 8, and in order to produce a symmetrical appearance and also toenable the arm 10 to be located on either side of the basin, as theexigencies of the case may require, a loose ring or collar 7is placed onthe rod on the side opposite to that on which the arm is located. andcollar may be transposed, when desired, without trouble andwithout-producing an unsightly appearance. 1

In the preferred form of the construction the ends of the rod 4 arescrew-threaded and are engaged by cap-nuts 11, which hold the partssecurely in place. These nuts abut against the ends of the sleeves 6,and as these sleeves when 'used are slightly longer than the combinedlength of the hinge 8 and the width of the perforated enlargement 10 onone side and of the collar 7 and the hinge 8 on the other side the nutscan be screwed down against the ends of the sleeves, so as to hold theparts firmly in position without causing them to bind, thereby allowingthe free movement of the arm and hinges on the collars.

While the construction which has just been described is the-preferredform of hinge connection, it may be varied, if desired.

Connected to the arm 10 is a rod 13, which is preferably weighted ormade sufficiently heavy to act as a weight. This rod extends upward andis connected to the valve-operating mechanism for the flush-tank B. It

may be hereremarked that the flush-tank and operating mechanism thereforare shown in .Fig. 1 as concealed behinda partition A.

This partition may obviously, however, be omitted, thereby exposing theflush-tank and the operating mechanism to view.

Located upon the upper edge of one side of the flush-tank is a bracket14, which is preferably provided with two arms projecting over theinterior of the tank. An actuating-lever 15, preferably, but notnecessarily, U -shaped, is pivoted between the two arms of this bracketon a short shaft 16, which is supported at each end in the bracket-arms.The actuating-lever is provided with a downward extension 17, to whichthe rod 13 is connected. One of the sides of the actuating-lever isformed to provide an extension 18, which The arm projects forward beyondthe pivot 16. This forwardly-projecting extension 18 of theactuating-lever engages a weighted toe 19,which toe is pivoted betweenthe arms of the bracket 14 at the forward ends thereof, the pivots beingindicated at 20. This toe is further provided with a forwardly-extendingprojection 21, the purpose of which will be hereinafter stated.

Pivoted on the short shaft 16, before referred to, is thevalve-operating lever 22, this being a lever of the third order. Thislever is connected by a link 23 to the valve and passes over andnormally preferably rests upon the extension 21 of the weighted toe 19,before referred to.

When the seat is depressed and the arm 10 rocked as before described,the rod 13 is given a vertical movement, and the actuating-lever isrocked on the short shaft 16. The arm 10 and rod 13, although pivotedtogether, form a substantially rigid connection between the seat and theactuating-lever, by which the movement of the seat is transmitted to thelever. This movement causes its forward extension to strike the innerside of the pivoted toe 19, thereby rocking it on its pivots 20. Thismovement causes the extension 21 of the toe to rise and carry with itthe lever 22, which movement raises the valve to which the lever 22 isconnected by means of the rod 23. As is apparent from the drawings,however, (see, for instance, Fig. 4,) any considerable movement of theactuating-lever will cause its extension 18 to rock the pivoted toe 19sulficiently so that the end of the lever 18 will pass it. As soon asthe end of the lever 18 has passed the toe 19 this too, being weighted,as before stated, will rock back into its original position, allowingthe lever 22 to return to its normal position and the valve to close.This operation of the valve, however, has been sufficient to allow asmall amount of water to escape from the flush-tank, and this waterdescending through the pipe 0 into the bowl gives it a preliminarywetting or dampening, so that any matter therein deposited will notreadily adhere to the sides of the bowl.

The actuating lever 15 has extending through it a short rod 24, thisshort rod being located back of the pivotal point of the lever. Pivotedto this short rod 24. arealatch or trigger-lever 25 and a weight 26, thelatch being preferably pivoted between ears on the weight 26. (See Fig.2.) The trigger-lever or latch 25 has a forwardly-projecting shoulder27, which in certain positions engages a shoulder 28, formed on thelever 22, and a rearwardly projecting shoulder 33, upon which the weight26 rests.

The latch or trigger-lever 25 is connected by a slotted link 29 to theusual float 30, the said float being connected by a rod 31 to the inflow-valve, by whiclrwater is admitted into the flush-tank through thepipe 32. As the float descends said valve is operated and al- ICC I thepipe 32.

lows the water to flow into the tank through The connection between thefloat and the in flow-valve and the construction of said valve may be ofany usual or ordinary type, and it is not, therefore, necessary toillustrate the same or describe it further.

The weight 26 is preferably provided with a shoulder 26, which is or maybe engaged at times by the outer end of the actuating-lever 15. (SeeFigs. 4 and 5.) The actuating-lever is also provided with adownwardlyprojecting stop 34, which limits its downward movement.

When the seat is depressed, the rod 13 is given its vertical movementupward and the outer end of the actuating-lever l5 rocks upwardly, asbefore described. By this movement the extension 18 of theactuating-lever is caused to operate the toe 19, thus giving the valveits preliminary opening, and the outer end of the lever is pushed upinto the position shown in Fig. 5. By this movement the trigger-lever 25is carried upward to a point where its shoulder27 is above the shoulder28 on the valve-operating lever 22. As soon as the shoulder 27 on thelever 25 clears the shoulder 28 the weight 26, operating on the shoulder33 of. the lever 25, will swing the said lever inward and cause theshoulder 27 to engage or stand above the shoulder 28, this position ofthe parts being clearly shown in Fig. 5. By this movement of the triggeror latch the actuating-lever and the valve-operating lever are lockedtogether, and since they have the same pivotal point they operatethereafter as a single lever. In other words, the latch or triggerconstitutes a locking device, by the interposition of which thevalve-operating lever and the actuating-lever are practically convertedinto a single lever,

' said lever being connected at one end to the seat and at its otherendto the valve. The parts remain in the position shown in Fig. 5 solong as the seat is maintained in its depressedposition.When,however,theWeight is removed from the seat, the weighted rod 13will descend, carrying with it the actuatinglever 15, which, so far asthe work done by it on the operating-lever, is a lever of the secondorder. Since the trigger or latch is mounted in the actuating-lever, andby reason of the fact that its shoulder27 has engaged theshoultuating-lever will continue until its stop 34 strikes the bracket14, to which the lever is pivoted, by which movement of the parts thevalve is raised to its full extent, and the water is allowed to escapefrom the flush-tank down through the pipe 0, thereby flushing thecloset. As the water escapes from the closet the float 3O descends. Theposition of the various parts of the valve-operating mechanism remainsas above described until the rod 31 strikes the bottom of the slot inthe link 29, which connects the lever 25 to the float. When the floathas reached this position, its further downward movement operatesthrough the link 29 to pull the triggerlever downward and backward,thereby releasing its shoulder 27 from its engagement with the shoulder28 on the lever 22. As soon as this occurs the valve is free to close,and does so, the lever 22 resuming the position shown in Fig. 4, withits shoulder28 'above the shoulder 27 of the trigger-lever25.

The parts now being in their norm'al condition are ready to be againoperated in the manner before described to flush the closet, as beforedescribed.

It is of course understood that the descent of the float 30 opens theinflow-valve of the flush-tank and that the tank has become filledthrough the pipe 32.

\Vhile the apparatus before described may be used with any desired formof valve, the valve is preferably constructed so that its movement inclosing will be automatically controlled, so as to avoid noise and anyslamming of the valve against the seat, and also the construction of thevalve is preferably such as to provide for a slight flow of water afterthe flushing action proper has ceased, thereby providing for an afterfill and insuring that sufficient water to form a proper seal flows intothe basin or traps, or both. To accomplish these objects, the valve ispreferably constructed as follows: A casing 35 is provided, whichcarries valve-seat 36. valve-seat 36 is surrounded by the ring 37, whichengages suitable threads formed on the outer portion of the upwardprojection on which the valve-seat is formed. Two legs or extensions 38connect the ring 37 to an upper annular chamber or casing 39. The bottomof the chamber 39 is formed by a web 40, having an upward projection 41,into which is screwed or to which is otherwise secured anupwardly-extending tube 42. The casing 39, the web 40, and theupwardly-extending tube 42 form an annular chamber the top of which isbelow the normal level of the water in the flush-tank and which istherefore filled with water.

43 indicates a leather or elastic plate forming part of the valveproper, which plate rests upon the valve-seat 36. This plate 43 liesbetween washers 44 45. A shouldered collar 46 bears against the washer45. The plate 43, the washers 44 45, and the collar 46 fit somewhatloosely on a rod 48, which forms the valve-stem. The collar 46 isengaged by a shouldered nut 47, which is screwed upon the lower end ofthe valve-stem 48. Surrounding the stem 48 and bearing against the TheIIO

' 52, and to this shoulder is connected a threaded tube 53. This tubehas secured to its lower end, by means of a thread or in any othersuitable manner, a plate 54, which plate is somewhat less in diameterthan the annular casing 39. Lying below the plate 54 is a secondperforated plate or annulus 55, which surrounds the upwardly-extendingthreadedportion of the bottom 40, the diameter of its central openingbeing somewhat greater than the diameter of said upwardly-projectingextension. This perforated plate or annulus is nearly as large as thediameter of the casing 39, but is of a sufficient size to work freelytherein, and it is loosely connected in any suitable manner, as byheaded bolts 56, to the plate 54, it being free to play up and downonthe bolts. It being remembered that the casing 39 is normally filledwith water, it will be seen that when the valve is raised by means ofthe valve-operating mechanism before described the plate 54 and theannulus 55 will be carried upward in the chamber 39, and the annuluswill by the action of the water in the casing be forced downward againstthe heads of the bolts 56. The water in the casing will therefore flowbetween the plate and the annulus and through the opening in the centerof the annulus and between it and the upwardly-projecting tube 42 intothe lower part of the casing. A portion of the water which is containedin the casing may be forced out over its upper edge by the upwardmovement of the plate and the annulus; but should this occur inasmuch asthe top of the casing is located somewhat below the normal level of thewater in the tank as soon as the upward movement of the plate andannulus has ceased sufficient water will run in to fill the casing. Whenthe valve-operating mechanism is released, as before described, thevalve is free to seat itself. The first movement of the valve in thedownward direction will cause the annulus 58 to be forced upward againstthe plate 54. The plate54 will now act to close the opening between theannulus and the tube 42, and the Water which is in the casing will actas a cushion and resist the downward movement of the valve. The valve,therefore, can move downwardly only so fast as the escaping water willpermit, and as the water can only escape around the edges of the annulus55 and between it and the sides of the casing 39 the downward movementof the valve will necessarily be slow, thereby avoiding-any suddenclosing or slamming of the valve.

The valve-seat 36 is provided with a series of inwardly-extending studs57. These studs act to support an annulus 58, which is carried by thevalve and which is free to move between the shoulder on the collar 46and the shoulder on the nut 47. As the valve is raised the annulus 58will be carried forward clear of the opening through the valve-seat andallow an unobstructed flow of water into the pipe 0. When, however, thevalve starts to move in its downward direction, as soon as the annulus58 reaches its supporting-pins 57 it will be stopped by them. It will atthis time, therefore, act to partially close the opening through thevalve-seat and so diminish the flow of water as to cause the flushingaction to cease. \Vater will still continue to flow around this annulusin a diminished quantity until the valve proper comes to place on itsseat, and this afterflow, while not sufficient to cause a flushingaction, properly so called, will act to fill the basin or trap, orboth,and so insure a proper water seal.

The casing 35 is provided with a lateral hollow extension 35, to whichis secured an upwardly-extending overflow-pipe 59.

Various modifications may be made in the mechanism, and various partsare capable of use independently of the other parts and in relationsother than that herein set forth.

For instance, the actuating-lever 15 may be made straight instead of Ushaped. The weight 26 may be omitted altogether and the latch itselfWeighted in such a manner that it will of itself engage thevalve-operating lever. The connections between the seat and theactuating-lever may be varied, and in general many other obviousmodifications, which it is not necessary to specifically state, may bemade. The invention is not, therefore, to be limited to the specificdetails of construction herein described, but is to be regarded asgeneric in its nature and as including all modifications which comewithin its spirit and scope.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a flush-tank, of a valve, anoperating-lever therefor, connections between the lever and the valve,an in; dependent actuating-lever, said lever being arranged so that itspower end moves in the same direction as the power end of theoperating-lever when the valve is to receive its main opening movement,locking devices which operate to connect the two levers when the valveis to be raised, means for disconnecting the locking devices when thevalve is to be closed, and means connected to the power end of theactuating-lever to move it in both directions, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination with a closet having a movable seat, of a flush-tank,a valve, an operating-lever therefor, connections between the lever andthe valve, an independent actuating-lever, said lever being arranged sothat its power end moves in the same direction as the power end of theoperating-lever IIO when the valve is to receive its main openingmovement, locking devices which operate to connect the two levers whenthe valve is to be raised, means for disconnecting the looking deviceswhen the valve is to be closed, and connections between the closet-seatand the power end of the actuating-lever, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a flush-tank, of a valve, a pivotedoperating-lever therefor, an independent pivoted actuating-lever, saidlever having the same pivotal point as the operating-lever, lockingdevices which serve to connect the two levers when the valve is to beraised, means for operating the locking devices to disconnect the twolevers when the valve is to be closed, and means connected to the powerend of the actuating-lever for operating it in both directions,substantially as described.

4. The combination with a flush-tank, of a valve, a pivotedvalve-operating lever therefor, an independent pivoted actuating-lever,said lever having the same pivotal point as the operating-lever, lockingdevices carried by one of the levers which serve to connect the twolevers when the valve is to be raised, means for operating the lockingdevices to disconnect the two levers when the valve is to be closed, andmeans connected to the power end of the actuating-lever for operating itin both directions, substantially as described.

5. The combination witha flush-tank having a valve therein, of avalve-operating lever, an actuating-lever, a latch carried by said leverand constructed in one position to engage the valve-operating lever, anoperating-rod connected to the actuating-lever and acting to move it inboth directions whereby a movement of the said rod in one directioncauses the latch to engage the lever and a movement in the oppositedirection operates the valve-operating lever and opens the valve, andlatch-releasing devices, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a flush-tank having a valve therein, of avalve-operating lever, an. actuating-lever, a latch carried by saidlever and constructed in one position to engage the valve-operatinglover, a weighted operating-rod connected to the actuating-lever andacting to move it in both directions whereby a movement of the said rodin one direction causes the latch to engage the lever and a movement inthe opposite direction operates the valve-operating lever and opens thevalve, and latch-releasing devices, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a movable closetseat, of an actuating-rod andmeans whereby this rod is moved by the movement of the seat, aflush-tank and valve therein, a valveoperating lever pivoted between itsends, an actuating-lever connected to the operatingrod, and a latchcarried by the actuating-lever for engaging the valve-operating lever,said latch being located between the point of connection of the rod andlever and. its pivotal point, substantially as described.

8. In a flush-tank, the combination with a valve-operating lever, of apivoted actuatinglever, a latch pivoted on said lever, a weight pivotedon the actuating-lever independently of the latch, a shoulder on thevalve-operating lever with which the latch engages, means for operatingthe actuating-lever to cause the latch to engage the val ve-operatinglever, and means controlled by the height of the water in the tank forcausing the latch to release the valve-operating lever, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a valve operating mechanism for flush-tanks, the combination witha valveoperating lever, of an actuating-lever having an extension, apivoted toe lying in the path of the extension and serving when actuatedto operate the valve-lever, a latch for engaging the valve-operatinglever, means for operating the actuating-lever whereby the valve isgiven a slight preliminary movement to allow the escape of a smallquantity of water, and the latch is caused to engagethc lever so thatfurther movement of the actuating-lever will cause the operation of thevalve, and means controlled by the height of Water in the tank causingthe latch to release the valveoperating lever, substantially asdescribed.

10. The combination with a closet having a movable seat, of aflush-tank, a valve-operating lever for controlling the tank-valve, anactuating-lever having an extension, connections between saidactuating-lever and the closet-seat, a pivoted toe lying in the path ofthe extension, a latch for engaging the valveoperating lever, a weightforengaging the latch, said latch and weight lying between the arms ofthe actuating-lever whereby the downward movement of the seat will causemovable seat, of a flush-tank, a valve-oper-- ating lever forcontrolling the tanlevalve, an actuating-lever having an extension,connections between said actuating-lever and the closet-seat, a pivotedtoe lying in the path of the extension, a latch for engaging thevalveoperating lever carried by the actuating-lever, means controlled bythe height of the water in the tank for causing the latch to release thevalve-operating lever, whereby the downward movement of the seat willcause the extension to strike the pivoted toe and cause a slightpreliminary operation of the valve allowing the escape of a smallquantity of water, and the movement of the seat in the oppositedirection will actuate the valve-lever to'operate the valve,substantially as described.

12. The combination with a closet having a movable seat, of aflush-tank, a valve-operating lever for controlling the tank-valve, anactuating-lever having an extension, connections between saidactuating-lever and the closet-seat, a pivoted toe lying in the path ofthe extension, a latch fox-engaging the valveoperating lever carried bythe actuating-lever, a weight also carried by the actuatinglever forengaging the latch and means controlled by the height of the water inthe tank for causing the latch to release the valve-operating lever,substantially as described.

13. The combination with a flush-tank, of a bracket secured thereto, avalve-operating .lever pivoted in the bracket, an actuating-lever alsopivoted in the bracket and having an extension, a toe pivoted in thebracket and lying in the path of the extension on the saidactuating-lever, a latch pivoted on the actuating-lever, a weightfor'operating the latch in one direction, a shoulder on the latch, meanscontrolled by the height of water in the tank for causing the latch torelease the valve-operating lever, whereby the movement in one directionof said actuating-lever will operate the toe and cause a preliminarymovement of the valve to allow the escape of asmall quantity of waterand the latch to engage the valve-operating lever, and the movement ofthe said actuating-lever in .the opposite direction will cause the latchto operate the valve-operating lever to allow the usual escape of waterfrom the tank, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a closet,ofa flushtank, a bracket securedthereto, a valve-operating lever pivoted in the bracket, anactuating-lever also pivoted in the bracket and having an extension, atoe pivoted in the bracket and lying in the path of the extension on thesaid actuating-lever, alatch pivoted on the actuating-lever, a Weightfor operating the latch in one direction, a shoulder on the latch, meanscontrolled by the height of water in the tank for causing the latch torelease the valve operating lever, whereby the movement in one directionof said lever will operate the toe and cause a preliminary movement ofthe valve'to allow the escape of a small quantity of water and the latchto engage the valve-operating lever, and the movement of saidactuating-lever in the opposite direction will cause the latch tooperate the valve-operating lever to allow the usual escape of waterfrom thetank, substantially as described.

15. The combination with'a closet having a movable seat, of aflush-tank, a bracket secured on the tank, a valve-operating leverpivoted in the bracket, an actuating-lever also pivoted in the bracket,connections between the actuating-lever and the movable seat, anextension on said actuating-lever, a pivoted toe lying in the path ofthe extension, a latch pivoted on the actuating-lever, a weightcooperatin g with the latch, a shoulder on the latch for engaging thevalve-operatinglever, means controlled by the height of water in thetank for causing the latch to release the valve-operating lever, wherebythe movement of the seat in one direction of said actuating-lever willoperate the toe and cause a preliminary movement of the valve to allowthe escape of a small quantity of water and the latch to engage thevalve-operating lever, and the movement of the seat in the oppositedirection will cause the latch to operate the valve-operating lever toallow the usual escape of water from the tank, substantially asdescribed.

16. The combination with a closet having a movable seat, of aflush-tank, a bracket scoured on the tank, a valve-operating leverpivoted in the bracket, a U-shaped actuating-lever also pivoted in thebracket, connections between the Ushaped lever and the movable seat, anextension on said U shaped lever, a pivoted toe lying in the path of theextension, a latch pivoted between the arms of the U-shaped lever, aweight pivoted between the arms of the U-shaped lever cooperating withthe latch, a shoulder on the latch for engaging the operating-lever andmeans controlled by the height of water in the tank for causing thelatch to release the valve-operating lever whereby the movement of theseat in one direction will cause the extension of said U-shaped lever tooperate the toe and cause a preliminary movement of the valve to allowthe escape of a small quantity of water and the latch to engage thevalve-operating lever and the movement of the seat in the oppositedirection will cause the latch to operate the valve-operating lever toallow the usual escape of water from the tank, substantially asdescribed.

17. The combination of a closet-basin having a perforated portion at therear side, sleeves 5 at opposite sides of said perforated portion, rod 4passing through said sleeves 5, sleeves 6 on said rod, nuts 11 on saidrod engaging sleeves 6, and seat hinges on said sleeves 6, substantiallyas described.

18. The combination of a closet-basin having a perforated portion at therear side, sleeves 5 at opposite sides of said perforated portion, rod 4passing through said sleeves 5, sleeves 6 on said rod, nuts 11 on saidrod ongaging sleeves 6, seat-hinges on said sleeves 6, andoperating-arms 1O actuated by the seat and mounted on one of the sleeves6, substantially as described.

19. The combination with a perforated shoulder, of a rod passing throughthe shoulder, a sleeve surrounding said rod, a collar surrounding saidsleeve, said collar being shorter than the sleeve, a nut engaging theend of the rod whereby the nut may be screwed tightly down against theend of the sleeve without interfering with the free movement of thecollar on the sleeve, substantially as described.

20. The combination with a perforated shoulder, of a screw-threaded rodpassing therethrough, nuts on the rod, sleeves loosely surrounding therod, hinged collars surrounding the sleeves, the collars being slightlyshorter than the sleeves which they surround and cap-nuts fitting theends of the rod whereby said nuts may be screwed down firmly against thesleeves to hold the parts in place without interfering with the movementof the hinged collars, substantially as described.

21. The combination with a closet having a perforated shoulder, of ascrew-threaded rod passing through the shoulder, nuts threaded on therod and having extensions entering the perforated shoulder, a sleeve orcollar surrounding the rod, a hinged seat, the hinges of the seatsurrounding the collars or sleeves, a lever pivoted on one of thesleeves and having an extension projecting beneath the seat, nutsthreaded on the ends of the rod and engaging the ends of the sleeves, aflush-tank and connections from the lever to the valve in the tank,substantially as described.

In a valve mechanism for flush-tanks,

the combination with a movable valve and stem therefor, a casing orchamber, an openin g in said casing or chamber located beneath thenormal level of the fluid in the tank, an

opening in the bottom of the casing through- RICHARD V. MILLER.

Witnesses:

G. M. BoRs'r, T. F. KEHOE.

